5 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
This 5 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari is tailored for visiting interested in spend more time with mountain gorillas and witness how they are habituated to human presence and also encounter chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park.
Note: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only in the world where you can do gorilla habituation experience.
Highlights of 5 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
- Day 1: transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking
- Day 5: Departure
Detailed Itinerary of 5 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Day 1: transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport or after breakfast at your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, you will be picked up by Focus East Africa Tours driver-guide and start on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on a drive of approximately 9 to 10 hours.
Along the way you will have stops at the Equator crossing for photography and lunch in Mbarara Town, then proceed to the Southern part of Uganda heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Drive through Kisoro where you will see the scenic rolling hills of Kigezi and valleys, arrive in the park in late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Drivetime: 9 to 10 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation option: Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the park’s headquarters where you will join other visitors for briefing about gorilla habituation experience, a senior ranger will take you through the dos and don’ts. In groups of 4 people together with scientists and researchers, you will head into the forests of Bwindi looking for a semi- habituated gorilla family.
The trek takes approximately 2 to 6 hours to locate the gorilla family and as you trek through the forests, you will encounter other primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys and many birds. Once you locate the gorilla family, you will spend 4 hours with them learning about their traits and behavior and feeding patterns. Observe researchers doing their work of habituating the gorillas and participate in collecting samples, naming of the group, making calls among others. For photographers, this activity offers you ample time to take pictures and videos.
Return to the park’s headquarters to pick your permits and head to your lodge for an evening of relaxing, have dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Overnight: Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After a leisure breakfast, you will depart Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Kibale National Park – a primate capital of East Africa, famously known for hosting the largest population of chimpanzees in East Africa.
Along the way, you will have en-route lunch. Arrive in late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Drive time: About 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Chimpudu safari Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience
Have early morning breakfast and head to the park’s headquarters for briefing about the dos and don’ts while in the presence of chimpanzees, after the briefing you will head to the starting point. Head into the thick forests of Kibale looking for chimpanzees, the trek offers you a chance to see other primates inhabiting in Kibale Forest such as olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and many birds.
When you locate the chimpanzee troop, you will spend one their presence observing their behavior which is similar to humans and take amazing pictures and videos of them.
Return to your lodge for lunch, in the afternoon you will go for a Bigodi Swamp Walk for sights of birds and several bird species.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Chimpudu Safari Lodge
Day 5: Departure
Have a leisure breakfast, checkout of your lodge and embark on a journey of 5 to 6 hours to Kampala/Entebbe, you will be dropped off either at the hotel in Kampala or at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. Marking the end of your 5 days Gorilla Habituation and Chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda.
End of 5 Days Gorilla Habituation Experience and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
- Gorilla Habituation permit at USD1500.00 per person per trek
- Chimp permit at USD 250.00 per person per trek
Cost excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa
- Items of personal nature such as tips, drinks, and laundry
